Spencer fired as Timbers coach
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — John Spencer, the affable coach of the Portland Timbers who helped prepare the team for the jump to Major League Soccer last season, was fired on Monday.
The Timbers, coming off a 3-0 loss at Real Salt Lake on Saturday, are 5-8-4 and in next-to-last place in the league's Western Conference, with no road wins.
General manager Gavin Wilkinson will coach the team for the remainder of the year.
"We are by no means waving the white flag for the 2012 season," team owner Merritt Pauslon said a news conference announcing Spencer's dismissal on Monday. "There are still many games to play and we continue to have high expectations for the season."
Spencer issued a statement via the team: "I want to personally thank Merritt Paulson and the Paulson family for the opportunity to be the first head coach in the history of the MLS Timbers. Also, I want to thank all the coaches, staff, players and fans associated with the team. I very much enjoyed my time with the club and wish everyone the best."
Spencer was hired on Aug. 11, 2010. In the Scotsman's first year as coach, the Timbers finished 11-14-9. The 11 victories tied the team with the 2006 Houston Dynamo for fourth on the list of wins for an expansion team.
The new MLS franchise was wildly popular in Portland. Demand for season tickets at Jeld-Wen Field was so high in the offseason the Timbers increased the allotment this season by 2,000 seats, with a remaining waiting list of some 5,000 more supporters. The team also increased stadium seating capacity to more than 20,000.
"We had a terrific record last year as an expansion team under John and he provided us with some amazing moments and memories that will forever be a positive part of our MLS history," Paulson said.
But while the Timbers were still a major draw this season, selling out all their home games, the enthusiastic fan base has been vocal in calling for on-field results.
Paulson insisted that the decision was not record-driven, nor did it have anything to do with ethics. He characterized the issue as "some fundamental philosophical differences."
Paulson choked up at one point during Monday's press conference.
"There's a human factor here, and I don't take that lightly," he said.
Wilkinson joined the Timbers in 2001 as a player when the team was part of the USL First Division. He was coach of the second-division Timbers from 2007-10 and was an assistant with the Houston Dynamo for five seasons before coming to Portland.
Wilkinson, 38, said the players were informed on the decision on Monday. He did not expect a major overhaul of what the team has been doing. Indeed, he said, he was instrumental in putting the existing team on the field.
"Now it's up to me to get a little bit more out of them," Wilkinson said.
Paulson said it is not Wilkinson's intention to keep the coaching job on a long-term basis.
Spencer, 41, played professionally for 18 seasons, with stints in Scotland, England and with the MLS Colorado Rapids. A striker, he scored 43 goals for Chelsea from 1992-96.
wow... i knew they sucked, but it is funny that there's only one person on this forum actually trying to defend the crappiest soccer team, and least exciting game ever invented. Â 1 out of 25 comments... that's almost as bad as the timbers' win record so far. please go away timbers, maybe they should ship the team to peru. ... and why doesn't jack juice-berry ever take out his giant mouthguard?
That would be second crappiest. There actually is a "professional" soccer team that is worse.
Oh, poor, poor Merritt - his shiny new toy isn't quite as shiny as the other millionaires' toys, so he's throwing a hissy fit. Waaaaah! I think we could all see this coming; he clearly lacks the maturity necessary to be a major-league owner. So, for how many years are we going to have to put up with his public tantrums? It's a shame he never actually had to WORK for any of his money - then he might have a better understanding of what it's like to have to actually compete. Better yet, how about we stick his spoiled, little @$$ out on the field with the team, and see if his fat wallet will help him score goals!
Whatever...Must be a slow news day.
Soccer the everybody is a winner sport until your in MLS.Â
Soccer the boring sport that we think is great b/c we want to be like europe.
Soccer 90 minutes later and still no winner.
What a waste of money. They Stink!!!!!!!
the misinformation is that they "sell out every home game". that's hype they feed to the sheeple fans, that were so quick to jump on the loser-train called the timber army, I hope they're dismissed next... or should I say "dis-honorably discharged...." Â I'll be glad to see "timber-joey", with the red pubes on his chin gone as well.
@arnold Search ticketmaster or tickets to next home game. I can already tell you there are none. Same with all league games by the time game starts. Not sure how you could call this hype when it's supportable by facts. Other fact is Timbers Army ha been in Portland for over 10 years. Their blood drives are so popular they are the only organization I know of that brings out not one, but 2 bloodmobiles at a time.
 @SerenityWow  @arnold oh... and ten years was a good run.  see ya!
 @SerenityWow  @arnold wow.. two bloodmobiles... that IS impressive... ok, that makes the fact that they suck better.  (the owner and investors buys tickets, to create the illusion of value.  duh....you're not really that naive , are you???... next you're gonna tell us you're a romney supporter! hahaha!
 @cpt.iceman exactly!  "free" doesn't count as "sold"... they can't even give those things away.
Don't forget to add most of those tickets are FREE. I know someone who was giving 15 tickets for him and his family as a Promotional sceme to fill seats. I also know a person who won Season Passes for his family. Â
 @Ty0604 Lies all around...  Timbers average is over 20K which aligns with their capacity.  Sounders capacity is 38,500.  Personally I think it's impressive both cities can maintain their fan base to fill the stadium for each game. Â
@arnold I would NEVER vote Romney. But thanks for random attempt at an insult. I'll keep enjoying attending sold out games, and you can keep hating on those who enjoy and give back to the community. Have a good one. :-)
Walked past the last game after eating dinner nearby. Lots of empty seats.
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Get ready for the city to get stuck with the renovation bill . . . .
@ShallowEnder All their home games still sell out. But nice try jumping on the misinformation bandwagon.
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 @SerenityWow  @ShallowEnder yes, it's not like the term "jailblazers" has ever been uttered... can't stand those overpaid simpletons either. listening to any of them talk is like watching paint dry.
 @ShallowEnder All I know is you both said you were not at the game.  I was at the game, and actually standing 2 deep since security does not enforce one person per seat in TA sections.  I have no idea when you "walked by". Â
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I am just amazed at how many people get all excited about hating on the Timbers.  Funny Blazers do not get the same hate.  Do they even have a coach OR a President right now?  Portland sports teams rarely seem to have winning seasons, but fans support them.  Timbers is no different. Â
 @SerenityWow The NFL reports the number of sold tickets who don't show up as "no-shows". MSL did until a number of franchises started to have more no-shows then those in the stands (2009). The seats are empty regardless of being sold or not, and it's a comment on the minor league nature of "Major League Soccer".
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Most English third division teams would make the playoffs in MLS.
 @Ty0604 Some input - not much credibility to anything you say when lies & name calling are all you've got. Â
How about we fire the team and bring back Baseball!!!!
Now there is a good Idea!!!! I sure miss going to the Baseball Games in Portland.
Since I am still a bit bitter about how Merit threw the Beavers under the bus (and that I used to enjoy 8-10 Beavers games a yr at PGE) I am getting a big laugh at the Timbers imploding.
I knew his job was in trouble. The thing about Portland players, when they get the a$$ about something they will mutiny on the coach in a heartbeat. Just ask Maurice Cheeks.
Did you see the game over the weekend against RSL? The Timbers were TERRIBLE and whiner so boot. The yellow cards were flying. It was embarrassing to watch. Hope the new coach cleans up the team.
@bacana The entire league needs to clean up here starting with the inconsistent refs. Timbers came out fighting after Seattle landed a few uncalled punches. San Jose had a few too. KC beat up Seattle at a level of unacceptable violence as well. All & all the league needs to enforce the darn rules to keep the players in check.